Author: ANTHONY KITIMO
By ANTHONY KITIMO Exciting news for Uganda as two vessels carrying petroleum products recently docked at the Mombasa port on July 3. This marks a new chapter in Uganda’s quest for energy independence, moving away from reliance on Kenyan oil marketers. The MT Navig8 Matinez arrived with 58,000 metric tonnes of petrol, while the MT Sinbad brought 70,000MT of diesel. A delegation led by Uganda’s Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa welcomed this historic delivery. The development signifies Uganda’s move towards direct fuel imports and reducing dependency on neighboring countries. This strategic shift is poised to have significant implications for the region’s…
By ANTHONY KITIMO Kenya to Auction Cargo Destined for South Sudan Overstaying in WarehousesKenya is set to auction 85 lots of cargo destined for South Sudan and Kenya after overstaying in warehouses due to various reasons. The Kenya Revenue Authority announced the auction in accordance with customs regulations. The goods, including building materials and pharmaceuticals, must be moved by July 31 to avoid being auctioned online.Customs officials attribute the delay to unscrupulous agents, insecurity on the transport route, and recent cargo directives in South Sudan. The country has introduced new tracking measures that some traders find cumbersome, leading to cargo…
By ANTHONY KITIMO Uganda is set to break Kenya’s oil monopoly as two tankers carrying the first petroleum products directly imported by Uganda will dock at the Mombasa port next week. The move follows a deal between Uganda National Oil Company (Unoc) and Vitol Bahrain to lower pump prices in Uganda below those offered by Kenyan dealers. Unoc’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Tony Otoa, confirmed that two vessels are scheduled to arrive on July 2nd, carrying a total of 70,000 tonnes of fuel. The agreement between Uganda and Kenya will see the use of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) facilities to…
By ANTHONY KITIMO The Mombasa port has outshined Djibouti and Dar es Salaam in the latest World Bank global ports index for ship delays and non-tariff barriers. Djibouti’s port dropped dramatically from position 26 in 2022 to 379 in 2023 due to business bottlenecks. Similarly, the port of Dar es Salaam fell 55 places to 367, attributed to inefficiencies. Ethiopia’s pursuit of alternative corridors, such as the Lamu port, due to insecurity in the Red Sea and NTBs in Djibouti led to a deal with Somaliland for Berbera port use, causing tension with Mogadishu. The CPPI rankings highlight the importance…
By ANTHONY KITIMO The cost of transporting cargo on the Northern Corridor may increase in the next financial year due to Kenya’s proposed motor vehicle tax of 2.5 percent of the vehicle’s value. Vehicle owners will need to pay a tax of at least $39 (Ksh5,000) based on the vehicle’s make, model, engine capacity, and year of manufacture. This tax has raised concerns among key Mombasa port users who are considering seeking cheaper services in neighboring countries like Tanzania. Transporters, shippers, and clearing agents fear that these tax increases will reduce the competitiveness of Kenyan exports and significantly raise operational…
By ANTHONY KITIMO The United States and the European Union (EU) are collaborating to combat the increase of militant groups in the high seas, with Kenya becoming the second country after Seychelles to prosecute suspects of maritime crimes. Top economies have expressed concern over disruptions in maritime trade caused by groups like Yemen’s Houthis and piracy in Somalia, highlighting the need for elimination of these illegal activities. The EU Naval Force has announced Kenya as a partner in handling maritime crime suspects, emphasizing the importance of maritime security in maintaining trade routes. Kenya and EU forces in Mombasa concluded marine…